OB carbon shaft insert for Mezz United

Cephalad

New member
I posted this in the "Ask the Cuemaker" forum and didn't get any replies, so I'll try here for a broader audience...

I have one of the OB carbon fiber shafts that has the removable inserts for different pin configurations (which I love, by the way). I bought an insert for the 5/16x14 pin, hoping it would fit my Mezz United butt, but alas it will not thread all the way in. It gets maybe 80%, then gets real tight, then won't screw any farther in.

I've read that sometimes the joint just needs to be tapped by someone with the appropriate equipment. Is there someone out there who could attempt this for me? Obviously I'm willing to pay for shipping and the service. I think I'd only need to send the insert.

I don't know if a tap would actually work, but I'm willing to try, even if it fails, because I have no use for the insert otherwise.

For the record, I did email OB asking about this, but got no reply.

Thanks!
Andrew
 
I posted this in the "Ask the Cuemaker" forum and didn't get any replies, so I'll try here for a broader audience...

I have one of the OB carbon fiber shafts that has the removable inserts for different pin configurations (which I love, by the way). I bought an insert for the 5/16x14 pin, hoping it would fit my Mezz United butt, but alas it will not thread all the way in. It gets maybe 80%, then gets real tight, then won't screw any farther in.

I've read that sometimes the joint just needs to be tapped by someone with the appropriate equipment. Is there someone out there who could attempt this for me? Obviously I'm willing to pay for shipping and the service. I think I'd only need to send the insert.

I don't know if a tap would actually work, but I'm willing to try, even if it fails, because I have no use for the insert otherwise.

For the record, I did email OB asking about this, but got no reply.

Thanks!
Andrew
Try applying some wax on the threads and screwing it in. You might have to repeat the process a few times but it has worked well for me more than once when I thought I’d accidentally ordered the wrong joint thread for a customer. Turns out I ordered correctly and this was all that needed to be done. Certainly worth a try anyway!
 
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I bought the OB carbon shaft to try on a Meucci and I couldn't get it to screw on at all. Used beeswax, and it screws on now. Got a Revo in yesterday to try on a Meucci and went on easy. Seems like the ob inserts are a bit tighter than others. The wax will hopefully help you
 
I had the same issue with an OB shaft fitting in to an Adam cue. As the guys above said, try a tiny bit of oil or wax first. If that doesn't work, then run a tap.
 
My brother had the same issue on a Schon. I think he used graphite. Not the spray or paste. .. the powder.
 
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Thank you everyone for the replies! Based on your suggestions, I applied a little Teflon lubricant (I don't have any beeswax) and worked the insert onto the pin with some pliers. Took a few times but I did get it to thread!

The next problem: the joint collar (I think that's the right terminology) on the OB shaft insert is too large for the bore in the shaft. Using my calipers, I measure the OB collar as 0.494". I have a few Mezz United shafts and their collars average 0.475". Because of the pin, I can't get a good internal diameter measurement of the butt collar opening, but my best guess is about 0.48".

I wonder how hard it would be to machine down the collar on the OB insert. That's beyond my personal abilities for sure. I'm not interested in modifying the Mezz butt.

Any suggestions? Local machine shop? Custom cue maker? Give up?

Thanks again!


20210701_181953.jpg

Mezz Ignite 12.2 on the left, OB 5/16x14 insert on the right
 
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If the insert doesn't fit the shaft, return it to the seller. You shouldn't have to get it fitted by a cuemaker. It's a drop in part.
 
Have you hit with the OB yet? I like the Ignite more than the OB, surprised you are switching
 
Yeah the Ignite is great. All the Mezz stuff seems really high quality. I have a few of the carbon fiber shafts and I'm really just trying to figure out what works best. So far I really like the OB carbon shaft on my McDermott back end, and it would be nice to use it with the nicer Mezz butt. I like the slightly softer feel of the OB compared to the Ignite, and the the larger diameter (13mm vs 12.2mm). I'm still just a mid-level player on my best day though, so maybe with more experience I'll appreciate the Ignite more.

Thanks for the gunsmith suggestion. Good idea. We've got lots of those around here so I will definitely give that a shot.
 
Yeah the Ignite is great. All the Mezz stuff seems really high quality. I have a few of the carbon fiber shafts and I'm really just trying to figure out what works best. So far I really like the OB carbon shaft on my McDermott back end, and it would be nice to use it with the nicer Mezz butt. I like the slightly softer feel of the OB compared to the Ignite, and the the larger diameter (13mm vs 12.2mm). I'm still just a mid-level player on my best day though, so maybe with more experience I'll appreciate the Ignite more.

Thanks for the gunsmith suggestion. Good idea. We've got lots of those around here so I will definitely give that a shot.
Didn't know OB was 13mm. Think the OB I have is 12.15mm.
 
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